Kate Lebovitz Obituary (1926 - 2020)

Kate Lebovitz, 93, of Prairie Village, passed away peacefully at Village Shalom in Leawood KS April 20th. Kate was born August 5th, 1926, to Hannah and Joseph Stern in Budapest, Hungary. She survived War War II in the Budapest Ghetto where she met the love of her life, Eugene Lebovitz. They married in the ghetto in 1944 and remained a loving couple until Eugene’s death in 2013. Kate learned the art of millinery as a young girl, and made her wedding hat. Kate loved her American citizenship and all the freedoms and privileges that went with it. Her house was a gathering place for family and friends. She was famous for her cooking and hospitality. If her loving husband Gene was the life of the party, Kate was the glue. No matter the time of day, she always offered a sweet or fruit to whomever visited. She “worked” at home raising four children. Over the many years of child rearing, she met with teachers, made lunches, arranged carpools, drove children to activities, oversaw homework, and cooked supper seven days a week and prepared wonderful holiday dinners. Her table wasn’t complete without her entire family present. She insisted on cooking and baking everything. She loved when one of her children, daughters in law, or grandchildren asked her for a recipe, or better yet, watched her make a dish. If you sat at her table more than once, you heard her say, “You’d better eat because I’m going to tell people you ate here.” If someone replied they were too full, she responded, “This you don’t eat from hunger!” Eugene often brought home guests for dinner without warning and Kate always welcomed the stranger to her table. In the early 80’s when responsibilities at home lessened, she opened Abe’s Tailor Shop. Kate is survived by four children: George (Aviva) Lebovitz, Israel; Allen (Susan) Lebovitz, Prairie Village; Shari Baellow, Karen (David) Berger, all of Overland Park. She was the proud grandmother of Yaron (Tzippy) Lebovitz, Israel; Dahlia Lebovitz of blessed memory; Sara (Derek) Meklir, CA; Aaron (Melinda) Lebovitz, VA; Rachel (Shawn) Muller, Ben (Sarah) Baellow, Daniel Berger, and Dahlia Berger all of Overland Park; Rebecca Berger, Dallas; Michael (Emilia) Lebovitz, FL; great grandchildren Akiva (Jehudit) Lebovitz, Shalom, Dahlia, Shira, Adina and Netanel Lebovitz, all of Israel; Maya and Noah Muller Overland Park; Allie DeBruin, Joseph and Zachary Baellow, Overland Park; Adam and Diane Lebovitz VA: Micah and Lennon Meklir, CA; Henry Lebovitz, FL; great-great grandchildren Yitzhak and Yair Lebovitz, Israel. Family members sincerely appreciate each of Village Shalom’s wonderful staff members who cared for Kate, in addition to Dr. Donald Cohen, and Connie Coll, her afternoon caregiver who in these last few extraordinary weeks of isolation facilitated face timing for Kate with family members. Graveside services will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, Beth Shalom synagogue, or charity of your choice.